Headgear with fan assembly device

ABSTRACT

A headgear with fan assembly device includes a hat having a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and an aperture disposed along a top side thereof. An adjustable headband is disposed within the interior cavity, and a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is in communication with a central hub having a plurality of fan blades is disposed along the aperture, and in line with the central axis of the hat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to head covering devices, andmore particularly to headgear, such as a hat, with an integrated coolingsystem for providing fresh air to the head of a wearer.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Workers and other such individuals who are regularly exposed to hightemperature environments must take precautions against heat relatedinjuries such as heat stroke, for example. Whether the environment isindoors, such as an iron and steel foundries, manufacturing plants, andcommercial factories, for example, or outdoors such as lawn maintenance,construction, mining, and/or forestry, the combination of a hotenvironment combined with strenuous physical activity by the workerposes a constant safety threat.

This is especially true for these workers who must wear hard hats toprotect their head from falling debris and other such hazards. Indeed,it is the very structural security of the hard hat itself that causes agreenhouse effect within the hat that does not allow the heat generatedby the users head to escape.

In addition to the above, many individuals wear hats such as traditionalbaseball-style hats, for example, whenever they are outdoors. Hats areextremely useful for providing a shield against sunlight, and ofteninclude markings and other such indicia that reflects the interest ofthe wearer. However, even ball caps have a tendency to trap heat alongthe head of the wearer, and therefore can also pose a risk duringextended use.

Although there have been previous attempts to introduce motorized fansonto hard hats, the majority of these devices have not had commercialsuccess due to the minimal amount of airflow that actually reaches theusers head, and the fact that the motor, fan and/or batteries aretypically offset from the center of gravity, thereby causing neck strainto the wearer.

In light of the above, it would be beneficial to provide a headgeardevice with a fan assembly that can be utilized in any number ofsituations to provide fresh air to the head of a user without sufferingfrom the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a headgear with fan assemblydevice. One embodiment of the present invention can take the form of ahat that includes a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and anaperture disposed along a top side thereof. The hat can also include anadjustable headband and a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is incommunication with a central hub having a plurality of fan blades. Thefan shroud and central hub are positioned along the central axis of thehat so as to ensure the center of gravity of the hat is not disturbedand to prevent neck strain by the user wearing the hat.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include a removablebattery compartment having a remotely located control switch and beltclip for allowing the device to operate requiring a battery to belocated on the hat itself.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not toidentify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should beappreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the headgear with fan assembly devicethat is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosedherein.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the headgear with fan assembly device, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded parts view of the headgear with fan assemblydevice, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded cross section view of the headgear withfan assembly device in operation, wherein certain components are removedfor ease of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a back side view of the headgear with fan assembly device, inaccordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thedescription in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the inventionor elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only thosereference numerals are shown in the individual figures which arenecessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes ofthis description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,”“vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to theinvention as oriented in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of a headgear with a fan assemblydevice 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein. As shown, the device 10 can include a hat 11, anadjustable headband 20 and a fan assembly 30.

The headgear can preferably take the form of a rigid or semi-rigid hat11 that includes an exterior surface 12, a front side 13, a back side14, and an outward protruding visor 15, forming an interior cavity 16. Agenerally circular aperture 17 can be disposed along an upper surface ofthe hat 11 that is defined by a lip 17 a having a plurality of spacedopenings 17 a 1 disposed thereon. As will be described below, theaperture 17 can function to receive and secure the fan assembly to thehat.

The hat 11 can preferably be constructed from a strong, impact resistantthermoplastic material such as polyethylene (HDPE) or polycarbonate, forexample, which is traditionally used in the construction of hard hats.The hat 11 can also include any number of additional elements such asoptional padding (not illustrated), markings, and other such indiciawithout limitation. Although described above as having a hard hat designwith a particular shape, this is for illustrative purposes only as thoseof skill in the art will recognize that the hat 11 can include anynumber of traditional hat shapes, and can be constructed from any numberof different materials utilizing any number of different constructionmethodologies. Several examples include, motorcycle and automotivehelmets, sports helmets, and any number of traditional hats used foractivities such as fishing, sports, and the like. Accordingly, the hat11 is not limited to a hard hat. However, in instances where the hat isutilized as a hard hat, it is contemplated that approval from aregulatory agency such as OSHA would be obtained prior to construction.

An adjustable headband 20 can be positioned within the interior cavityof the hat 16 in order to receive the head of a user. The headband 20can preferably include a pair of elongated straps 21 and 22 that crosstogether 23 along a central axis X of the hat. A generally circularcrown member 24 can be in communication with each of the straps 21 and22, and can be positioned equidistantly about the central axis andadjacent to the crossing point 23. The cross members 21 and 22 can besecured to the inside proton of the hat via any number of adjustableconnectors 25, such as a buckle, or hook and loop material, for example.Additionally, an optional chin strap 26 having a centrally locatedbuckle 27 can be provided.

As will be described below, when utilized in conjunction with a fanassembly, the headband 20 can function to align the head of a wearerdirectly beneath the center of gravity of the fan, and simultaneouslymaintain a uniform space around the head, in order to allow complete aircirculation within the hat cavity. In the preferred embodiment, each ofthe straps 21, 22, 26 and the crown member 24 can each be constructedfrom a resilient material such as nylon, for example. Of course, anynumber of other such materials can also be utilized herein.

The fan assembly 30 can function to provide fresh air to the interiorcavity of the hat 11. In one embodiment, the assembly 30 can include afan motor 31 having a drive shaft 32 for imparting a rotational forceonto a central hub 33 having a plurality of fan blades 34 extendingoutward therefrom.

As shown, a generally circular fan shroud 35 can function to align andsecure the assembly along the central axis X of the hat. As such, theshroud can preferably include an upper portion 35 a having a centrallylocated opening 35 a 1 for receiving the motor 31 and drive shaft 32,respectively. A plurality of generally curved and evenly spaced outwardradiating support members 35 b connect the upper portion of the shroud35 a to a lower lip 35 c having a plurality of openings 35 c 1 disposedthereon.

As the assembly 30 is designed to be incorporated into the constructionof the hat itself, the lower lip 35 c can preferably include a shape anddimension that is complementary to the shape and dimension of theaperture 17 of the hat. To this end, the lip 35 c can be positionedalong the aperture lip 17 a and each of the plurality of openings 17 a 1and 35 c 1 can be aligned so as to receive conventional mountinghardware 5 such as screws, bolts, and other such connectors. Of course,any means for securing the assembly 30 to the hat 11 can also beutilized, several non-limiting examples including adhesives such as glueand resin, or welds, for example. Moreover, although described above asseparate components, the shroud 35 and the hat 11 can be constructed asa single unitary element at an original time of manufacture.

The motor 32 can be electrically connected 36 to any suitable DC powersource, such as a lithium Ion battery 37, for example. The battery canpreferably be located within a battery compartment 19 that is preferablydisposed along the back side of the hat. Additionally, a switch 38 canbe provided for selectively activating and deactivating the motor torotate the fan. Of course, any number of different types of batteriescan be utilized, and the switch can include any known mechanism forcontrolling the operation of the fan, including the ability to adjustthe operating speed of the fan itself.

In one preferred embodiment, the motor housing, central hub and fanblades can be constructed from a lightweight material such as injectedmolded plastic, for example, and the fan shroud 35 can be constructedfrom an identical material as the hat 11 itself, so as to protect thehead of the user against falling debris and other such hazards whenutilized has a hard hat.

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded cross section view of the device 10 inoperation, wherein certain components are removed for ease ofillustration. As shown, the fan assembly 30 draws air A through theshroud 35 and into the interior cavity 16 of the hat 11. As statedabove, the headband 20 maintains the users' head 1 along the centralaxis X, in order to ensure the entire weight of the device is in linewith the users' center of gravity. Additionally, by maintaining auniform gap between the users head and the body of the hat, air is ableto circulate within the entirety of the interior cavity so as to providefresh air to keep the users' head cool when wearing the hat.

In addition to the above, a plurality of optional deflectors 41 can bedisposed throughout the interior cavity 16. As shown, each of thesedeflectors can include an angled surface for deflecting the air towardsthe center of the hat. Such a feature prevents air from passing throughthe bottom of the hat without making contact with the users head.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device 10 that furtherincludes a detachable battery compartment 50. As shown, the compartmentcan include a generally hollow main body 51 having a hingedly attachedcover 51 a for receiving one or more batteries 37 described above. Inthe preferred embodiment, a switch 38 for controlling the operation ofthe fan can be located on the compartment body 51 and a clip 52 can beprovided for securing the compartment to the belt of a user. Thecompartment 50 can be communicatively linked to the motor 31 via anelongated reinforced cable 53 in order to provide power thereto when theswitch is in the “on” position.

Such a feature can allow the device 10 to accommodate larger batteries,thereby providing longer run time of the fan, and has the added benefitof removing the weight of the battery from the head of the user, therebygreatly reducing the risk of neck fatigue when utilized for extendedperiods of time.

The cable 53 can be hard wired directly between the compartment 50 andthe motor 31, or can include a coupler 54 for splitting the cable intotwo halves 53 a and 53 b, thereby allowing the cable and batterycompartment to be removable from the hat. Cable couplers and other suchdevices which can include opposing halves that are each secured to acable in order to connect the same together are extremely well known inthe art. Such a feature can be beneficial in situations where the hat isto be utilized without requiring power to the fan (such as in cooltemperatures).

As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can besecured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as,for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the presentinvention, the same should be apparent from the above description.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage andoperation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A headgear with fan assembly device, comprising:a hat that includes a front side, a back side, an interior cavity and anaperture disposed along a top side thereof and defined by an upper lip;an adjustable headband disposed within the interior cavity of the hat;and a fan assembly that includes a fan shroud for supporting a motorthat is in communication with a central hub having a plurality of fanblades extending outward therefrom, said shroud including a lower lipthat is in communication with the upper lip of the hat, and functions toposition the motor and central hub along a central axis of the hat. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein said fan shroud further comprises: anupper portion having a centrally located opening for receiving themotor; and a plurality of generally curved and evenly spaced outwardradiating support members that are each in communication with the upperportion of the shroud and the lower lip of the shroud.
 3. The device ofclaim 2, further comprising: a plurality of shroud openings that aredisposed along the lower lip of the shroud; and a plurality of hatopenings that are disposed along the upper lip of the hat, said shroudopenings and hat openings each having a complementary shape andlocation, and are configured to each engage a conventional hardwaredevice to secure the fan assembly to the hat.
 4. The device of claim 2,wherein the hat and the fan shroud include a unitary construction. 5.The device of claim 2, wherein each of the aperture and the fan shroudincludes a generally circular shape.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinthe adjustable headband comprises: a pair of elongated straps havingeach end thereof secured to the interior cavity of the hat via aremovable connectors, said straps being in communication with each otheralong the central axis of the hat; and a generally circular crown memberthat is in communication with each of the pair of elongated straps, at alocation that is equidistant from the communication point of the pair ofstraps.
 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising: a plurality of airdeflectors disposed along the inside cavity of the hat, said deflectorsfunctioning to direct air towards the central axis of the hat.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising: a battery compartment that is incommunication with the hat; a cable that is in communication with eachof the fan motor and the battery compartment; and a switch that is incommunication with the cable.
 9. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a chin strap having an integrated buckle.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising: a visor that is secured to the front sideof the hat, said visor extending outward therefrom.
 11. The device ofclaim 1, wherein each of the hat and fan shroud are constructed from atleast one of polyethylene and polycarbonate.
 12. The device of claim 1,wherein the fan motor includes a lightweight DC powered motor.
 13. Aheadgear with fan assembly device, comprising: a hat that includes afront side, a back side, an interior cavity and an aperture disposedalong a top side thereof and defined by an upper lip; an adjustableheadband disposed within the interior cavity of the hat; a fan assemblythat includes a fan shroud for supporting a motor that is incommunication with a central hub having a plurality of fan bladesextending outward therefrom, said shroud including a lower lip that isin communication with the upper lip of the hat, and functions toposition the motor and central hub along a central axis of the hat; abattery compartment having a generally hollow main body and a hingedlyattached cover, said compartment being configured to receive at leastone battery for operating the fan assembly; an elongated cable that isin communication with each of the fan motor and the battery compartment;a switch that is in communication with the cable, said switch beingdisposed along the battery compartment; and a belt clip that is disposedalong the battery compartment.
 14. The device of claim 13, furthercomprising: a cable coupler that is secured onto the cable, andconfigured to allow a portion of the cable that is secured to thebattery compartment to be disconnected from the portion of the cablethat is secured to the fan motor.
 15. The device of claim 13, whereinsaid fan shroud further comprises: an upper portion having a centrallylocated opening for receiving the motor; and a plurality of generallycurved and evenly spaced outward radiating support members that are eachin communication with the upper portion of the shroud and the lower lipof the shroud.
 16. The device of claim 15, further comprising: aplurality of shroud openings that are disposed along the lower lip ofthe shroud; and a plurality of hat openings that are disposed along theupper lip of the hat, said shroud openings and hat openings having acomplementary shape and location and are configured to be engaged viaconventional hardware to secure the fan assembly to the hat.
 17. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein each of the hat and the fan shroud include aunitary construction.